NOTE: 3/1/21 – this page will be updated throughout the month with any major changes, and new charts. LOOK for “UPDATES” notations.
- Vaccine News
- Phase – 1B.3 – 1B.4
- Additional Facts
- Color Charts & Restrictions
- UPDATES
VACCINE facts, statistics, distribution
NOTE: Sometimes statistics need further examination. For example, 88% of the people in nursing homes have been vaccinated -but– 100% of those who wanted to be vaccinated have been.
===Colorado===
The average daily case total fell 73% in the past six weeks. In the last five days, the average daily number was up five percent, and ten percent up in deaths this week.
==As of February 28 = 70% of 70+ vaccinated / 37% of 65 to 69 years old; 64% of educators; 100% of nursing homes, with most now getting 2nd doses; 90% of health care workers (who are eligible)
PK-12 educators and staff became eligible on February 8th.
15.3% of citizens got one shot
8% got their second dose
75% of teachers and child care workers are vaccinated with at least one dose (100% of those who said yes).
Colorado will get 45,000 Johnson & Johnson vaccines on Friday, March 5. Then 257,000 on March 14; 270,000 shipped 3/21; and 355,000 on March 355,000. And, it will continue to increase each week.
For more Colorado statistics and information, visit cocovidvaccine.org or call (877) 268-2926.
===UNITED STATES ===
Since vaccine distribution began in the U.S. on Dec. 14, more than 78 million doses have been administered, reaching 15.6% of the total U.S. population.
Two million vaccines have been sent to the states; and two million to pharmacies and community health care centers.
==JOHNSON & JOHNSON got approval by the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) on February 27 to begin distribution of its vaccines. Colorado will be getting 45,000 by Friday, March 5, and a total of 400,000 for the month of March. The difference with this vaccine, is that it can be kept in normal refrigeration (vs. below freezing) which will enable it to be more easily distributed to urban areas. It is one shot. Data released by Johnson & Johnson suggests that it is 66% effective in preventing moderate to severe COVID-19; and 100% effective in preventing COVID-19–related hospitalization and death.
The Administration was able to broker a deal with Merck pharmaceutical company to also make the J&J vaccine. President Biden announced that it looks like everybody can get a vaccine by April/May (previously the date was July). But be prepared for changes in any predictions.
FACTS FOR COLORADANS Wanting the Vaccine==========
==SIDE EFFECTS: Out of the first 55 million doses that have been given, less than 0.2 percent experience adverse effects. ==
The vast majority of people do not have any side effects after the first shot, other than a slightly sore arm. Some experience headaches. It is advised that you not drink alcohol the night before, or take pain killers before your appointment, or eat a big meal. Your body will be fighting a virus and needs to pay attention to what its tasks are. After the second dose, some side effects for the minority of people are soreness, fever, headaches, and muscle aches.
==HOW TO GET AN APPOINTMENT: Sign up with hospitals in your county, as well as any clinics or doctors that you go to for regular visits.
**Sign up with a vaccine provider at www.boco.org/COVIDVaccines
**This young computer expert developed a search engine just for vaccine availability searches in the Front Range! Easy and free! https://vaccine-finder.nickm.org/?fbclid=IwAR2wwFV-0kIRydWhTziNPk2QrdsrYypilBDNoCJkJO6fKXYYUzxPVy_Bx14
**Walmart, Sam’s Club, Safeway, Cardinal, and Kroger (City Market and King Soopers) pharmacies are administering COVID-19 vaccines in Colorado through the U.S. Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. They get separate supplies from what the State gets.
Editor’s Note: I just heard that about 50 residents got their vaccine shot in town last week from King Sooper staff. It may be part of the outreach that Town of Lyons rep is doing for seniors.
==VACCINATED PEOPLE SHOULD WEAR A MASK? People who get the vaccine may still get the virus, but it will be mild. Also, they will have the ability to catch it and pass it on to others. Always wear a mask!==The CDC says it’s too soon to waive the mask mandate.
==DOUBLE MASK – During the month of February, it was promoted that people should wear two masks. First a simple blue medical masks, and over that your fabric mask. The key, whether you wear one or two masks, is to make sure they are snug around your face.
REVISED CHART - PHASE 1B.3 and 1B.4
Who is Eligible to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine?
At all times, those 70 and older are given priority for receiving doses; 4 out of 5 deaths due to COVID-19 in Colorado were in the 70+ age range.
==Phase 1
==High-risk healthcare providers (contact your employer)
==Moderate-risk healthcare workers
==Individuals who are 70 years old or older
==Phase 1B.2 = Began February 8
==Individuals who are 65-69 years old, and have two serious conditions listed on the criteria.
==Child care workers in licensed child care programs. (contact your program director)
Phase 1B.3 = March 5 (approximately 958,508 people)
First line frontline workers (grocery store workers, farm/agriculture workers)
(in March, note= restaurant workers were removed from this list, and are moved to mid-March)
Ages 16 to 59 with two comorbidities (severe illnesses)
Highest Risk Health Care Workers, with Direct Contact with COVID-19 patients
Modern Risk Health Care Workers and First Responders
PK-12 Educators and Licensed Child Care Workers
Phase 4 = March 21 (approximately 2.5 million people)
Ages 50 and older.
Anyone (over 16) with a single high-risk illness
Restaurant / servers
Bus drivers/transportation
Post office carriers
Faith healers
Some higher education personnel with risks (eg professors)
————————
No More Phases = At the end of April or later in May all the remaining people, 16 years and older can receive the vaccine, who chose to get it.
ADDTIONAL FACTS
As of February 21, 2021 ==The United States has reached the HALF A MILLION mark for deaths. It is twice the number as the other closest country. We send condolences to the families.
update: 3/17/21 537,000 deaths // worldwide 2.6 million
==MORE MASKS DISTRIBUTED: The Biden administration will distribute 25 million American-made face coverings to thousands of qualified community health centers and food banks in an effort to help vulnerable Americans more easily mask up. They have confiscated millions of illegal N95 masks that were not properly made.
==WINTER STORMS: Delays in six million vaccines due to the winter storms are now back on track.
==INCREASED PRODUCTON: Both Pfizer and Moderna are going to deliver 300 million vaccines by the end of summer; and Johnson and Johnson has 100 million ready. The 600 million doses, are enough to vaccinate 300 million people. As of February 23, all companies are promising a massive surge in production. Pfizer’s production alone is going from 3-4 million to 13 million in mid-March. The federal government is steadily increasing the number of vaccines it distributes to states.
==STOPPING MISINFORMATION: The Biden administration has awarded millions of dollars to counter fear and misinformation in communities of color that have indicated they’re concerned about the safety of the vaccines.
==TRAVEL/TRANSPORTATION/FEDERAL BUILDINGS: Persons in all federal buildings must wear masks and social distance. The CDC issued orders Feb. 3 for the same on planes, trains, buses, taxi’s, ride shares and the like. Refusal is a violation of federal law. Those under two years of age, or with certain disabilities will be excused.
==RENT AND MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE: See the State web page CDOLA for details.
==VARIANT types of COVID – At this time medical reports indicate that the variants can spread at much higher rates, resulting in greatly increased hospitalizations. There is debate as to whether it will increase the death rates. The current three vaccines may not stop infection, but there seems to be no deaths from getting the new virus after being vaccinated.
==CASES IN CHILDREN: There is a ten percent increase of confirmed cases in children. The test trials are now moving on to children, ages five to 16. The result may not be known till later in 2022.
==ASTRAZENECA: While the AstraZeneca vaccine is not given in the US, it may be of use to you to know how/why rumors get started and end with the facts: AstraZeneca said in a statement that more than 17 million people have received their vaccine and that there have only been 37 reports related to blood clots (15 events of deep vein thrombosis and 22 events of pulmonary embolism), which is below the number of blood clot cases that would be expected to occur naturally in the general population. The company said that a careful review of its data showed that there is “no evidence of an increased risk” of blood clots.
================
AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE: President Biden has ordered that the health care plans reopen their enrollment period, particularly for those who may need health care during the pandemic. You can now sign up for insurance from February 15 to May 15, 2021. They saw 200,000+ new applicants the week after reopening.
(see update 3/17/21 below)
==========Health Insurance Open Enrollment is here … again! Colorado’s Open Enrollment Period started February 8th, and ends on May 15th, 2021. This Special Enrollment Period will enable anyone not currently enrolled in a healthcare plan to shop and buy plans for 2021 coverage instead of waiting for the Open Enrollment Period for 2022 coverage. Anyone who is uninsured, lost insurance, or on a COBRA plan can purchase insurance on the marketplace. Coloradans can reach out to Connect for Health Colorado. .
COLOR CHART – 3/3/21 – 25 Counties are now in Level BLUE. Approximately 1/2 the state is Yellow and 1/2 is Blue, with only Ouray and Grand Counties still being in Orange.
Boulder and Larimer is YELLOW. Any 5-star approved businesses can move down to BLUE restrictions.
BOULDER COUNTY: as of March 1
7 day average 44 cases
7 day average of cases 2.5%
(Larimer County is 4.5%)
Lyons added one case in February, 67 total positive cases.
Boulder (city) has the highest count of all Boulder County cities.
CAPACITY LIMITS: Businesses (including restaurants and offices) can now operate at 50% capacity–see breakdown below. (Note, moving from YELLOW to BLUE or GREEN, the 50% capacity remains the same, but the number of people allowed changes). Those restaurants that already obtained a 5-Star Business Program approval, will be able to move down one more level in March, now that 70% of 70-year-olds are vaccinated with at least one dose.
NEW: Dial 2.0 (the new name) will now use a seven-day metric, instead of a 14-day metric, for disease incidence, level of testing, and hospitalizations. In order to move to a less restrictive level, counties will have to meet all metrics for that level for one week. Then, after the CDPHE has confirmed that the requirement was met, counties can move levels.
COLOR CHART — UPDATED 2/18/21:
==RESTAURANTS INDOORS: YELLOW and BLUE are 50% capacity
YELLOW: “or 50 people”/ BLUE “or 175 people”
Restaurants outdoors abide by local city rules, and 6 ft between groups
==PERSONAL GATHERINGS: Both allow “up to 10 from no more than 2 households” in personal gatherings
==PERSONAL SERVICES: 50% capacity or 50 people
==GROUP SPORTS and Camps: YELLOW 25 persons/BLUE 50 person capacity per activity
==GYMS: 50% capacity YELLOW “or 50 people”/BLUE “or 175 people”
==INDOOR UNSEATED Events/Entertainment: BOTH 50% capacity // BLUE “or 50 people no calculator, …or up to 100 with calculator.” // YELLOW “or 175 people”
==INDOOR SEATED Events/Entertainment: BOTH 50% capacity== YELLOW “or 50 people… or 150 people with 6ft spacing betw groups” / BLUE “or 225 people with 6 ft spacing between people”
==OUTDOOR SETED: BOTH 50% capacity YELLOW “or 175 people”/BLUE “or 250 people” YELLOW
===============
In March, because of improved conditions, OUTDOOR sports and entertainment venues can apply for variances to allow more people to attend in person, with social distancing and mask wearing. Both the Rockies and Red Rocks have been approved for limited capacities.
The Lyons Recorder attempts to present the most accurate and up-to-date information, mainly gathered from government sources of information, but cannot guarantee the information — readers should check with their health care provider for personal advice and information, and the State of Colorado COVID-19 information web site.
UPDATES – as of 3/11/21
SPORTS
=The Rockies baseball team can now have 21,000 spectators at the opening Home Game, April 1st.
=School Sports – Season C variance approved. That means filed hockey, football, gymnastics, boys soccer, bowling and girls volleyball can happen. Baseball practice can begin 3/8 and games on 3/15.
VACCINE DISTRIBUTION
=Both the US and CO have reached their goal of 70% of those over 75 getting at least the first of their vaccines.
=90 percent of the K-12 people have got their first vaccine 3/9/21
=One million+ people have received their first shot. As of 3/6– 17.6 Percent.
=Colorado got 45,000 of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on this Friday, March 5. We will be getting about 400,000 this month.
=Initially it was predicted that everyone can get a vaccine by the end of July, but it is now moved up to May.
=You need to wait two weeks after the second dose to feel confident that you are covered. But still wear a mask to protect others, in case you pick up the virus and carry it around.
SOCIAL SPREAD
=The street riot on The Hill in Boulder may be a Super Spreader, and you should be on alert if you go to the city and may be in situations where you are exposed to college-age students.
=The CDC now says that grandparents can visit one household, indoors, without a mask, as long as none of them have high risk conditions. The household people do not have to be vaccinated. =This opens up the possibility of visiting grandparents in “nursing homes.”
=VARIANT: Colorado has the variant here. In California it is responsible for 30 percent of new cases, and in Florida 40 percent. Wear your mask; even if vaccinated. =None who caught the S. African variant had a vaccine.
RESTAURANTS / COLOR CHART
=All LEVELS with 5-star status now have a last call at 2 a.m.
CO STATUS
CO has one of the lowest death rates in the country… it’s #41. It is attributed to the lockdown and mask wearing. However, CO has suffered economically due to lockdowns.
UPDATES – as of 3/17/21
As of 3/16/21 approximately 22 percent of Coloradans have got a vaccine, with 8 percent of them getting only the first one. Colorado has remained at the 3.4 percent level of new cases this past week. It continues to be at this plateau.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The new Stimulus package was passed. It effects the state’s insurance plan. Your next two year’s premiums are capped at 8.5 percent of your modified adjusted gross income. Open enrollment is till May 1st. It includes getting funds to cover your existing Cobra coverage from April to September. Go to our ECONOMY article for other details.
VACCINE LOCATOR: A new web site, federally supported, will be set up with an 800 number.
